Cup transfer apparatus and system for drawing and ironing

ABSTRACT

A system for drawing and ironing can bodies, particularly steel can bodies, characterized by a single stroke press having an equal number of drawing and re-draw stations in combination with a novel means to transfer cups from drawing to re-drawing stations, and a separate ironing press having separate stations to correspond to each re-drawing station. The apparatus for transferring cups across a sheet metal web from blank-draw stations to re-draw stations beyond the edge of the web includes movably mounted first members adjacent the re-draw stations and the surface over which the web passes, extension members connected to the movable first members, gripping members connected to the extension members adjacent the stations, means to move the first members and thus the gripping members across the web and over the edge thereof, and means to actuate the gripping members to grip cups at blank-draw stations and release them at redraw stations.

United States Patent [1 1 Miller a v m 3,800,583 1 1 Apr. 2, 1974 1 1CUP TRANSFER APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR DRAWING AND IRONING 1 Stanley J.Miller, Crystal Lake, 111.

[73] Assignee: National Can Corporation, Chicago,

22 Filedz Aug.4, 1972 211' Appl. No; 278,031

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 72/349, 72/361, 72/405, 72/422, 1'13/113 [51] Int. Cl B21d43/06 [58] Field of Search 72/361, 405, 422, 426,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,300 Pierson 1,497,0016/1924 Rotherham 113/113 3,003,447 10/196] Gavazzi 113/113 3,057,31210/1962 Hatch .1 113/113 2,012,423 8/1935 Ferris 72/423 3,011,46412/1961 Danly. et al. 113/113 1,953,757 4/1934 1 Hessenbruch 113/1133,610,018 10/1971 Swanson et a]. 113/120 H Primary ExaminerRichard J.Herbst I571 ABSTRACT A system for drawing and ironing can bodies,particularly steel can bodies, characterized by a single stroke presshaving an equal number of drawing and re-draw stations in combinationwith a novel means to transfer cups from drawing to rc-drawing stations,and a separate ironing press having separate stations to correspond toeach re-drawing station. The apparatus-for transferring cups across asheet metal web from blankdraw stations to re-draw stations beyond theedge of the web includes movably mounted first members adjacent there-draw stations and the surface over which I the web passes, extensionmembers connected to the movable first members, gripping membersconnected to the extension members adjacent the stations, means to movethe first members and thus the gripping members across theweb and overthe edge thereof, and means to actuate the gripping members to grip cupsat blank-draw stations and release them at redraw stations.

29 Claims, z Drawing Figures FIG. I

SUPPLY OF STEEL WE B SINGLE STROKE PRESS BLANK-DRAW cuP TRANSFER REDRAWIRONING PRESS PAIENTEBAPR 21924 SHEU 5 0F 8 FIGS BLANK a DRAW IDL .REDRAW FIG. 6

IDLE

PATENTED 2W v 3,800,583

' sum 7 or 8 m or.

W%/////////4i l FIG. l-l

PATENTED APR 2 I974 SHEET 8 BF 8 the cup.

CUP TRANSFER APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR DRAWING AND IRONING BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to the formation of can bodies, ofthe type having integral bottoms, from sheet metal by cutting normallycircular blanks from a sheet metal web and drawing the blanks intoshallow cups, redrawing the shallow cups to form deeper cups having asmaller diameter, and ironing the walls to form container bodies. Suchbodies are thereafter filled with product and an enclosure is sealed tothe open end thereof as by double seaming to provide a finished packagesuch as is used for beer and beverage containment. Such containers areknown as two piece cans in the trade. In particular, this inventionrelates to a cup transfer apparatus which facilitates a system for theformation of can bodies, as will be set forth herein.

This invention has special application to the manufacture of drawn andironed container bodies made of steel. The apparatus of this inventionmakes possible an efficiently operatingdrawing and ironing system forsteel containers which is relatively problem-free and which entails arelatively low capital expense per unit of production. This inventionalso makes possible effective piece control as will be explained herein,to minimize complications and trace any defects during operation,

At this point it should be noted that while the primary application ofthe cup transfer apparatus of this invention is in the manufacture ofcan bodies, the invention has application in the production of a widevariety of other tubular bodies formed by a drawing and redrawingprocess. Because of the primary application, the terms can body orcontainer body will often be used in this specification.

-Many tubular pieces having bottoms which are integral with and of thesame material as the sides thereof can be formed from aweb of sheetmaterial by drawing and redrawing processes. My invention hasapplication to many of such processes.

As used'herein, the term blank, refers to the cutting of a generallyflat circular metal piece from a metal web, normally of aluminum, steelor tin-plated steel sheeting.

The term drawing refers to the operation whereby the peripheral area ofa circular flat metal blank is turned upwardly and simultaneouslysmoothed by means of a drawing punch and die set to form a cup having agenerally wrinkle-free sidewall which has a thickness substantiallyequal to the thickness of the original blank. The term redrawing refersto the operation whereby a drawn cup is operated upon by another punchand die combination of smaller diameter than the first set to turn upmore of the end material into the sidewall, thereby elongating thesidewall and substantially reducing the diameter of the cup. As indrawing, redrawing does not substantially change the thickness of thesidewall from the thickness of the origi-' nal blank. Two drawingoperations, a draw and a redraw, are generally required in themanufacture of bodies for two piece containers.

Ironing refers to the operation whereby the sidewall of a drawn cup iselongated by reducing its thickness with no appreciable reduction in thediameter of Ironing is generally accomplished by placing the cup on aclosely fitted punch or mandrel and forcing the cup on the mandrelthrough one or more ironing or reducing dies having diameters slightlyless than the outer diameter of the cup. The ironing action forces backthe excess metal which extends beyond the diameters of eachprogressively smaller ironing die, and produces a longer, thinnersidewall.

The ironing operation is generally much more exacting and sensitive thanthe drawing and redrawing operations. Drawing and redrawing, however,entail a rapid and shocking dislocation of a considerably greater volumeof metal. These differences will be referred to further herein.

Two-piece aluminum containers, with drawn and ironed bodies, have beenwidely used for several years, particularly in the beer and beveragefield. In the production of drawn and ironed aluminum container bodies,it has been a common practice to blank and draw cups from aluminum sheetmaterial on one press, and then both redraw and iron on a second pressusing a single stroke of one ram.

The combining of redrawing and ironing operations has shown itself to bequite satisfactory for the production of container bodies of aluminum,which is by nature a relatively soft and mechanically workable metal.

The shock of the redrawing operation did not unacceptably upset thedelicate adjustments required for accurate ironing, even thoughredrawing and ironing on one ram required that a redrawing die and oneor more ironing rings be axially aligned side by side. Further, sincealuminum is relatively soft, massive supporting structure for redrawingdies was not required.

However, with steel, which is much harder and much less workable thanaluminum, significant problems arise if a similar combination ofredrawing and ironing is attempted. Because of its relative hardness,ironing steel is a much more delicate operation than ironing softeraluminum. Further, since thinner container walls are structurallypossible with steel, and thus desirable in order to reduce material costper container, tolerances must be considerably smaller with steel. inaddition, the redrawing of steel is a more jarring operation than theredrawing of softer aluminum. More massive supporting structure isrequired. Because of the above considerations, redrawing and ironing ofsteel cannot easily and efficiently co-exist in such a combination. Theincreased shocking or jarring of redrawing steel are too much for theincreased delicacy of'ironing steel. Severely increased downtime foradjustment and/or uneven quality of container bodies would result,either of which are intolerable in the high competitive metal containerindustry. Further, the

more massive support required for redrawing steel tends to make accessto critical parts more difficult.

A significant related problem is the increased tendency for cracking ofcontainer bodies, particularly ram speed and the hardness of steelpromote the cracking of bottoms and even cause what is known as completetearoffs whereby the bottom is completely severed from the sidewalls.

To summarize, the separate problems of redrawing and ironing arecompounded when the two operations are combined for steel as they havecommonly been combined for aluminum. Therefore, it is desirable toseparate these operations. Thus, there would appear to be need for threepresses, one to blank and draw, another to redraw, and a third to iron.This would cause a significantly increased capital expenditure over thecommon two-press system for aluminum.

Attempts to eliminate a third press, and thus minimize capital outlays,have led to the combining of the redraw operation with the blank anddraw operation. One attempt in this direction involves the axialalignment of the drawing and redrawing dies vertically for use with atelescoping combination of punches. Although this avoids theaforementioned problems arising from the incompatibility of redrawingwith ironing, it gives rise to other significant problems. Inparticular, the massive supporting structure and the complex punch anddie configurations which are necessitated, render individual dies andother critical parts fairly inaccessible. Such inaccessibility increasesdowntime.

I have invented a system for drawing and ironing container bodies whichovercomes all of these problems. An important aspect of my invention isthe unique cup transfer apparatus disclosed which makes possible thecommerical use of a single press for both drawing and redrawing. Thetransfer apparatus, preferred embodiments of which are described below,operates to transfer cups which have been blanked and drawn from a sheetmetal web at blank-draw'stations, across the web to redraw stationslocated just beyond the edge of the web, releasing the cups in properorientation above the redraw dies to receive the redraw punches. Thepress has a punch for each station and drawing and redrawing occursimultaneously, but on different punches which are side by side, and notaxially aligned or telescoping. Since the punches are not independentlyoperating, but are affixed to a common punch carrier, I have designatedthe press as a single stroke press.

Significant problems arise in providing apparatus for transfer of cupsacross a metal web in a multiple station press of this type. Such apress presents a mechanically crowded environment which is notaccommodating to additional apparatus at or near the operative area.This is particularly true for the type of apparatus required for cuptransfer. Since relatively fragile metal shells, such as can bodies, arebeing produced, minor inaccuracies in, for example, gripping'a oncedrawn shell or placement of the shell after transfer to a redrawingstation could result in destruction of the shell and jamming of thepress. Thus the cup transfer apparatus must function with precision andmust be built accordingly,

.even though in the aforementioned mechanically crowded environment. Thecup transfer system has preferred application to v a press having amultiplicty of both blank-draw stations OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It isan object of my invention to provide a drawing and ironing system forsteel containers which eliminates the aforementioned problems.

A specific object of my invention is to provide a drawing and ironingsystem which minimizes downtime during normal operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a drawing and ironingsystem for steel container bodies in which the ironing operation is notsubject to the jarring of adjacent and combined redrawing.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a drawing and ironingsystem for containers which drastically reduces the likelihood oftearouts or cracked container bottoms.

A further object of my invention is to provide a drawing and ironingsystem for steel containers which provides all of the aforementionedadvantages without entailing the expense associated with three separatepresses.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system for drawing andironing steel container bodies with a high degree of reliability andsteady quality.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a system for drawingand ironing container bodies which will provide all of the aboveadvantages and still allow a higher degree of accessibility to criticalparts.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cup transfer systemachieving the above, objectives in a drawing and ironing system forsteel container bodies.

Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a cup transferapparatus for use on a press to transfer cups from a multiplicity ofdrawing stations to corresponding redrawing stations.

A further object of my invention is to provide a transfer apparatus ofthe type described which can be used in a press configuration providingmaximum utilization of a metal web.

These and other important objects will become apparent from thefollowing descriptions and from the accompanying drawings which showpreferred embodiments, and which form a part of the specification. Inthe figures, like reference numerals designate like parts with likefunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a schematic drawingillustrating the order and groupings of functions of my system fordrawing and ironing steel can bodies.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a single stroke presshaving the cup transfer apparatus with certain functional elementsgenerally illustrated in phantom lines, thereby showing theirapproximate 10- cations with respect to the press. Material supply andcups at various stages of production are also in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation of the device of FIG. 2, but includingsome details of the cup transfer apparatus. A portion of the apparatus,later referred to as right first member 37, is removed for clarity.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged partial sectional view of the left portion of thedevice of FIG. 2 as indicated by Section 4A-4A in FIG. 2, but includingdetails of the cup transfer apparatus omitted from FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged partial sectional view as in FIG. 4A, but of theright portion as indicated by Section 4B4B in FIG. 2. Reference Line I-Iin FIG. 4A

joins reference Line II-II of FIG. 48 to form ite FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as indicated by Section 5-5 in FIG.4A. 7

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view as indicated by Section 6-6 in FIG.4A.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view as indicated by Section 7-7 in FIG.4A.

FIG. 8 is left side sectional view as'indicated by Section 8-8 in FIG.4A.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view as indicated by Section 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view as indicated by Section 10 10 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a view of a used metal web illustrating the approximate webusage on a four-out single stroke press incorporating the cup transferapparatus of my invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now in detail to thedrawings and particularly to FIG. 2, an elevational view of a singlestroke press incorporating the cup transfer apparatus of my invention isshown. A sheet steel web 22, indicated in phantom lines, passes overrollers 24, and over a surface 26, located above the bed 27, of press20. Over surface 26, and riding on four posts 28, is'an overheadcompospunch carrier portion 30 of press 20. Affixed to punch I carrier30 are blank-draw punch .combinations 32, which may be of a type wellknown in the art. Punch combinations 32 arein aposition above surface26' on which web 22 is resting/Punches 32 cooperate in known manner withblank-draw dies not shown which are mounted on bed 27 in a positionnormally flush with surface 26. Each punch 32 and its related die formsa blank-draw station.

Also affixed to punch carrier 30, are redraw punches 34 located beyondthe edges of web 22 which are indi-' cated by the phantom lines 58 and60. Redraw punches 34 may cooperate in known manner with redraw dies notshown which may be mounted on bed 27 as'the blank-draw dies are mounted.Each punch 34 and its related die forms a redraw station.

The locations of punches 32 in this embodiment are clearly illustratedin FIGS. 4A and 4B. It will be noted that they are located to providemaximum possible web usage, as is shown in FIG. 11. Blank-draw andredraw stations will be further described later. I

Various parts of the cup transfer apparatus are illustrated in FIG. 2 byphantom lines generally showing their locations in the pressenvironment. These include: left first member 36, and right first member37, which are movably mounted on base 38 of press 20, extension members40 attached to left first member 36 or right first member 37,'andextending across web 22 adjacent to blank-draw Stations and redrawstations, transfer actuating means 42 to reciprocally move first members36 and extension members 40 to effect transfer of cups 44,. alsoindicated in phantom lines, and actuating means 46 to effect thegripping and release of cups 44 before and after transfer, respectively.Transfer means 42 and actuating means 46, are both shown as remote fromthe operational area above and adjacent to surface 26. In the preferredembodiment shown in the figures, the major portions of such means arelocated remote from the operational area. FIGS. 3 through 10,

to which attention is now invited, set forth the details of the elementsof the cup transfer apparatus.

Drive means 48, shown in FIG. 3, imparts motion to a flywheel mounted onshaft 50 and obscured by guard v 52. The flywheel provides thedrivingforce by known means forpunch carrier which has a useful downwardmovement and a return upward movement. Well known pneumatic andhydraulic means are incorporated in press 20' to further control themovement of overhead punch carrier 30, and to provide give in thesupports for the blank-draw dies and redraw dies. No further discussionand explanation is deemed necessary in regard to the operation of knownparts andknown functions of press 20. However, it is here noted that thenovel cup transfer apparatus of this invention is also driven by meansof mechanical linkage to shaft 50 as will be referred to further herein.Such is not required, however, to be within the scope of this invention,but it is preferred as one way of insuring proper coordination of themovements of the cup transfer apparatus withthe previously knownfunctions of press 20.

FIGS. 4A and 4B, which form a composite sectional view of press 20 justabove surface 26 and above various parts of the cup transfer apparatus,best illustrate certain of the elements of the transfer apparatus.Attached to base 38 of press 20 are shaft supports 54. Transfer supportshafts 56 are mounted to shaft supports 54 which are aligned in adirection transverse to the direction of web feed as indicated in thefigures. Left first member 36 and right first member 37 are movablymounted on transfer support shafts 56 on the left and right sides ofpress 20 respectively, as indicated in FIGS. 4A and 4B respectively. Thefirst members are beyond right edge 58 and left edge 60 respectively, ofweb 22. The edges are indicated by phantom lines.

Attached to first members 36 or 37, are finger bars 62, 64, 66, 68, 70,72, 74 and 76, which extend across web 22. The finger bars form theextension members which were designated by numeral 40 in FIG. 2. Thefinger bars extend adjacent to blank-draw stations 78, 80, 82 and 84 andredraw stations 86, 88, 90 and .92.

To clarify the description of this preferred embodiment, the variousstations of press 20 will be further designated. Stations 78 and 80 forma pair of blankdraw stations, and stations 86 and 88 form acorresponding pair of redraw stations. Together stations 86, 78, 80 and88 form a set A of stations, each having a common centerline. Blank-drawstation 78 and its corresponding redraw station 86 form a left subset Aof stations, while stations 80 and 88 form a right subset A Likewise,stations 90, 82, 84 and 92, on another common centerline, form a set Bof stations, stations and 82 forming left subset B and stations 84 and92 forming right subset B The cup transfer apparatus of this inventionsimultaneously transfers cups just blanked and drawn at the blank-drawstation of each of the subsets to the corresponding redraw stationswithin the same subsets. Thus, cups are transferred from left blank-drawstations 78 and 82 to left redraw stations 86 and 90 respectively, andfrom right blank-draw stations 80 and 84 to right redraw stations 88 and92 respectively.

Looking only at one set of stations, namely stations 86, 78, 80 and 88,finger bars 64 and 66 comprise a first first member 37 and extendtherefrom across said web to and through left first member 36. Fingerbars 62 and 68 comprise a second pair which are attached to left firstmember 36 and extend therefrom across said web to and through rightfirst member 37. The first pair of finger bars, 64 and 66, have grippingmembers 94, 96, V

98 and 100 attached thereto adjacent subset A of stations. Grippingmember 94 comprises two pieces having arcuate edges aligned on eitherside of blank-draw station 80. Likewise, gripping member 100 comprisestwo pieces having arcuate edges aligned on either side of redraw station88. Gripping members 96 and 98 each have two pieces presenting arcuateedges on either side of two idle positions spaced between stations 80and 88 and dividing the distance between stations 80 and 88 into threeequal distances along a common center line of the stations of subset ARight first member 37 is actuated by means which will be shownhereinafter to move toward the right from the position shown in FIG. 4A,equal to the distance between, for example, gripping members 94 and 96.

The second pair of finger bars, 62 and 68, have gripping members 102,104 and 106 attached thereto adjacent subset A, of stations. Grippingmember 102 comprises two pieces having arcuate edges aligned on eitherside of blank-draw station 78. Likewise, gripping member 106 comprisestwo pieces having arcuate edges aligned on either side of redraw station86. Gripping member 104 has two pieces presenting arcuate edges oneither side of an idle position spaced equally between stations 78 and86. Although there are two idle positions associated with subset A thereis only one associated with subset A This accommodates the positioningof blank-draw stations 78 and 80 to effect complete usage of web 22.

Gripping members 108, 110, 112, and 114 and gripping members 116, 118,and 120 are similarly situated and connected for Set B of stations as isreadily apparent from FIGS. 4A and 4B. However, the alignment isreversed to accommodate positioning of blank-draw stations 82 and 84 forthe reason already indicated, namely to effect complete web usage.

The attachment of gripping members to finger bars is accomplished bymeans of pairs of mounting blocks such as mounting blocks 122 and 123which are attached to finger bar 76, and mounting blocks 124 and 125which are attached to finger bar 70. Gripper support pieces 178 areattached to pairs of mounting blocks, such as 122 and 123, 124 and 125,and the others not numbered. The arcuate edged pieces are affixed alonggripper support pieces as shown in FIGS 4A and 4B in positions adjacentblank-draw, redraw and idle stations. Mounting blocks are accommodatedwith suitable slide bushings not shown, to allow the finger barstherethrough which are not attached thereto to slide freely.

FIGS. 4A and 48 indicate attachment of such blocks to finger bars by thepresence of connectors such as those indicated ny numeral 126 onmounting block 122. The, absence of connectors indicates that the fingerbar slides through the block. Similar connectors 126 attaching fingerbars to left and right first members 36 and 37 are also provided. FIG. 9also shows slide bushings 128 to accommodate sliding of finger barsthrough left first member 36. The finger bars which are attached to leftfirst member 36 slide through right first member 37 and vice versa.Stationary supports 180, as

shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, are mounted to base 38 in position to provideadditional support for the finger bars which pass therethrough. Supports180 are also provided with slide bushings.

First members 36 and 37 undergo a reciprocating movement in a directiongenerally transverse of the direction of web feed. First members 36 and37 move simultaneously transversely away from web 22 and returnsimultaneously to their original positions. Just prior to the outwardmovement of first members 36 and 37, the gripping-members are actuatedto grip cups. Just after the outward movement, the gripping members areactuated to release cups. The actuation of gripping members of thisembodiment will be further described later. However, it is noted that inthis embodiment the movement ofa cup from a blank-draw station to itscorresponding redraw station involves one or two intermediate stopsafter which first members 36 and 37 return to their original positionsand present a new gripping member to each cup to continue the outwardtransfer.

Following the path ofa cup blanked and drawn at station 80, immediatelyafter drawing it is gripped by the two arcuate portions of grippingmember 94. Thereafter, right first member 37 and-gripping member 94moveto the right, as shown in FIG. 4B, by a distance equal to thedistance between station and idle station 128. Gripping member 94releases the cup at idle station 128 and returns, by movement of rightfirst member 37, to a position adjacent station 80. Gripping member 96then grips the cup and by outward movement of right first member 37transfers the cup to idle station 130. After inward motion of rightfirst member 37, gripping member 98 grips the cup and transfers it tostation 88, where it is released in position for receiving the redrawingpunch. As shown in the illustration of this preferred embodiment, afterredrawing, gripping member grips the cup and moves it further outwardlyonto a take-away chute 132 (FIG. 2), which leads to further means toconvey redrawn cups to an ironing station downstream.

During continuous operation, each gripping member carries a cup everycycle of operation. Further, the blank-draw and redraw stations arefunctioning between each transfer motion. A continuous supply of cupsmoves outwardly from press 20 into all four takeaway chutes 132. Eachchute is supplied by cups from a particular subset of stations and,preferably, each chute supplies a particular ironing station downstream.This brings about piece control throughout the process which enables anydefect in a finished container body to be traced back through itsironing, redraw and blank-draw stations. Scrambling of cups between themetal working action of various punches compounds the problems ofadjustment of dies and punches. The preferred embodiment just describedavoids such problems by punch to punch to punch control drawing toredrawing to ironing.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8 and 9 to describe the preferred meansto move first members 36 and 37. In FIG. 8, left first member 36 ispartially shown, the uppermost portion, to which the finger bars areattached, being excluded. Transfer support shafts 56, upon which leftfirst member rides, and shaft supports 54 are shown near the base ofleft first member 36. As shown in FIG. 8, left first member 36 has camfollower means 134 attached thereto by connectors 135, upon whichfollowers 134 may turn. Cam followers 134 are actuated by barrel cam 138as will be hereafter explained, to move left first member from left toright as indicated in FIG. 8. The left-most position, which is indicatedby phantom lines of cam followers 134, corresponds to the position ofleft first member which is most remote from the edge of web 22.

Transfer drive shaft 136 which is driven by means not shown from theflywheel of press 20 extends across press 20, beneath bed 27 and surface26. Barrel cam 138 is mounted'on and affixed to transfer drive shaft 136in a position generally below left first member 36.

Cam follower means 134 is engaged with barrel cam 138 to effect thereciprocating motion of left first member 36 upon the rotation oftransfer drive shaft 136. Barrel cam 138 is designed to coordinate thetransfer and return motions of left first member 36 with the otheroperations of the apparatus. It will-be readily appreciated thatadjustments may be made to effect the timing of movements and the speedthereof.

A mirror imaged barrel cam, not shown, is mounted on shaft 136 beneathright first member 37 to actuate the movement thereof in the manner justdescribed. Bearing means, connectors and other wellknown devices as areindicated in figures, are used in construction of the means to move thefirst members 36 and 37.

FIG. 9-gives a different view of left first member 36. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 8,9 and 10 clearly illustrate the preferred means for actuating thegripping members to grip cups just prior to transfer and release cupsafter the transfer motion. Transfer base 140 forms the main portion ofleft first member 36 and the portion upon which its other parts aremounted. Transfer base 140 rides on transfer support shafts 56 aspreviously indicated. First and second gripping motion bars 142 and 144are axially movably mounted to slide in transfer base 140, as is bestillustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 9. Gripping motion bars 142 and 144 aregenerally parallel to the direction of web f ed through press 20.

For each set of stations, namely A and B as previously designated, firstand second finger bar supports 146 and 148 are attached to first andsecond gripping motion bars 142 and 144, respectively. Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B, connectors 150 indicate the attach-' ment of finger barsupports to gripping motion bars. The absence of connectors 150indicates that the gripping motion bar and finger bar support slide withrespect to each other. Suitable slide bushings, not shown, are employedwhere appropriate.

As best visualized by reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and FIG. 5 shows a blankand draw station with the gripping member in the release positions.Phantom lines illustrate the gripping position. The same holds for FIG.6, which shows an idle station while FIG. 7 shows a redraw station. FIG.9 also illustrates the gripping position in phantom lines. I

The gripping members are designed to conform to the shape and size ofthe cup to be gripped at a particular station. Referring to FIG. 6,illustrating an idle station, holding bar 182, which are also shown inFIG. 2, 1

serve to maintain a cup in position at an idle station while overheadpunch carrier 30 operates the punches. After such operation, holdingbars 182 are raised on carrier 30 toallow further transfer of cups.

The preferred actuation of the gripping motion will now be explained.Referring specifically to FIGS. 8 and 10, a face cam 152 is mounted ondrive shaft 136. In the preferred embodiment,'the face cam is attachedto barrel, cam 138. The face cam 152 actuates cam follower means l54 towhich rack 156 is linked by known means shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Rack156 is actuated to move reciprocally in a vertical direction upon therotation of transfer drive shaft 136. Rack 156 is engaged with pinion158 which through suitable linkage 160 imparts oscillatory rotation tooscillating shaft 162. Oscillating shaft 162 extends across pressthrough both first members 36 and 37, which are arranged to slide withrespect thereto.

9, there are four pairs of finger bar supports, each having a firstfinger bar support 146 and a second finger bar support 148. Two pairsform a part of each first member. Both finger bar supports within a pairmove simultaneously away from and then back toward the common centerline of the set of stations running therebetween. The reciprocatingmotion of first and second finger bar supports 146 and 148 imparts aradial reciprocating motion to the finger bars which are supportedtherein as indicated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 9. As will readily beappreciated, it is this motion which effects the gripping and release ofcups. As will be set forth later, this motion is timed to occur betweenthe transfer movements earlier discussed.

FIGS. 57 illustrate the gripping movements of the finger bars and thegripping members attached thereto.

Within both first members 36 and 37, yoke links 164 are eccentricallyattached to eccentric mount 166 by pins 168 as shown in FIG. 9. Theother end of each of the yoke links 164 is connected by pins 170 to barclamps 172 and 174. Bar clamp 172 is attached to first gripping motionbar 142 and bar clamp 174 is attached to second gripping motion bar 144.At one extreme position of the oscillation of shaft 162, yoke links 164are extended thereby imparting opposite axial motion to gripping motionbars 142 and 144 and effecting the release of cups by the grippingmembers. At the other extreme position of the oscillation of shaft 162yoke links are withdrawn thereby reversing the opposite axial motion ofgripping motion bars 142 and 144 and effecting the gripping of cups bythe gripping members. It will readily be appreciated that by adjustingthe face cam 52 the timing and speed of the gripping and releasingmotions of the gripping members may be controlled.

Duplicate actuating means may be mounted generally beneath right firstmember 37 to assist in actuation of the gripping members. Otherwell-known mechanical means may be used to effect the gripping andreleasing motion.

The arcuate-edged gripping members may be of metal, but are preferablyof rubber orsynthetic mate- 'rial. Various other configurations ofgripping members tails described herein can be varied considerablywithout departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. A system for drawing tubular bodies of the type having an integralbottom comprising a press having a base, a surface over which a sheetmetal web is fed in a first direction, at least one blank-drawn stationfor cutting blanks from said web and forming cups therefrom, and anequal number of redraw stations, said redraw stations being locatedbeyond an edge of said web and adjacent said blank-drawn stations,respectively, and means for transferring blanked and drawn cups awayfrom said web from each blank-draw station to a corresponding redrawstation comprising: a first member movably mounted on said base adjacentsaid surface and said redrawing stations in a direction therefromgenerally transverse of said first direction; at least one extensionmember attached to said first member and extending to said blank-drawstations and said redraw stations and having gripping members attachedthereto adjacent said stations above said metal web; first means toreciprocally move said first member, said extension members and saidgripping members, said gripping members movable between saidblankingdrawing stations and said redrawing stations; and second meansactuating said gripping members to grip said cups at saidblanking-drawing stations and release said cups at said redrawingstations.

2. A system for drawing tubular bodies of the type having an integralbottom comprising a press of a type having a base, a surface over whicha sheet metal web is fed in a first direction with said web definingright and left edge lines, at least one pair of blank-draw stations forcutting blanks of said web and forming cups therefrom, said blank-drawstations in each pair consisting of right and left blank-draw stationseach centered on a line generally transverse of said first direction, apair of redraw stations corresponding to each pair of blank-drawstations and consisting of right and left redraw stations beyond saidright and left edge lines, respectively, each centered on the commoncenterline of the corresponding pair of blank-draw stations,corresponding pairs of blank-draw stations and redraw stationscomprising a set of stations, the right blank-draw station and redrawstation of each set forming a right subset and the remaining twostations of each set forming a left subset, said means for transferringblanked and drawn cups away from said web from each blank-draw stationto a corresponding redraw station comprising: right and left firstmembers movably mounted on said base beyond said right and left edgelines, respectively, said right and left first members being adjacentsaid right and left redraw stations, respectively, in directionstherefrom generally transverse of said first direction; for each set ofstations, extension members attached to said right and left firstmembers and extending therefrom to said right and left subset ofstations, respectively, and having gripping members attached theretoadjacent said stations above said metal web; first means to reciprocallymove said first members, and thus said gripping members, generallytransversely of said first direction, each gripping member movablebetween said blank-draw station and said redraw station of its adjacentsubset of stations; and second means actuating said gripping members togrip said cups at said blank-draw stations and release said cups at saidredraw stations.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein for each set of stations, saidextension members comprise first and second extension members, saidfirst and second extension members attached to said right and left firstmembers respectively and extending across said web and beyond said leftand right first members respectively, said first extension member havinggripping'members at tached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of saidset and said second extension member having gripping members attachedthereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein there are a multiplicity of grippingmembers for each subset of stations, each of said gripping memberseffecting transfer of a cup along a part of the distance from theblankdraw station of each of said'subsets to its corresponding redrawstation.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said gripping members comprisearcuate pieces conforming generally to the shape of the cupstransferred.

6. The improvement of claim 2 wherein for each set of stations, saidextension members comprise first and second pairs of finger bars, saidfirst and second pairs of finger bars attached to said right and leftfirst members respectively and extending across said web to and beyondsaid left and right first members respectively, said first pair offinger, bars having gripping members attached thereto adjacent one ofsaid subsets of said set and said second pair of finger bars havinggripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first mem- I bers comprise atransfer base, first and second gripping motion bars axially movablymounted on said transfer base and generally parallel to said firstdirection, for each set of stations first and second finger bar supportsconnected to said first and second gripping motion bars respectively,said first pair of finger bars being attached to said finger barsupports of said right first member, and said second pair of finger barsbeing attached to said finger bar supports of said left first member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second means to actuate saidgripping members actuates said first and second gripping motion bars toreciprocally move said bars, in opposite directions.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second means comprises a mainshaft, a cam mounted thereon, cam follower means, a rack connected tosaid cam follower, a pinion engaged with said rack, a shaft which isoscillated by the action of said rack and pinion, and means linking saidoscillating shaft with said first and second gripping motion bars.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first means to reciprocallymove said first members comprises a drive shaft, a pair of cams mountedthereon and cam follower means attached to said first means and actuatedby the rotation of said cams.

11. in a single stroke press device of a type having a base, a surfaceover which a sheet steel web is fed in a first direction with said webdefining right and left edge lines, at least one pair of blank-drawstations for cutting blanks of said web and forming cups therefrom, saidblank-draw stations in each pair consisting of right and left blank-drawstations each centered on a line generally transverse of said firstdirection, for each said pair a pair of redraw stations consisting ofright and left redraw stations beyond said right and left edge linesrespectively, each centered on the common centerline of thecorresponding pair of blank-draw stations, corresponding pair ofblank-draw stations and redraw stations comprising a set of stations,the right blank-draw station and redraw station of each set forming aright subset and the remaining two stations of each set forming a leftsubset, the improvement of a device for transferring cups from saidblank-draw stations to the corresponding redraw stations comprising:

right and left first members movably mounted on said base beyond saidright and left edge lines respectively, said right and left firstmembers being adjacent said right and left redraw stations respectivelyin directions therefrom generally transverse of said first direction;

for each set of stations, extension members attached to said right andleft first members and extending therefrom to said right and left subsetof stations respectively and having gripping members attached theretoadjacent said stations above said metal web;

first means to reciprocally move said first members,

and thus said gripping members, generally transversely of said firstdirection, each gripping member moving between said blank-draw stationand said redraw station of its adjacent subset of stations; and

second means actuating said gripping members to grip said cups at saidblank-draw stations and release said cups at said redraw stations.

12. The improvement of claim 11 wherein for each set of stations saidextension members comprise first and second extension members, saidfirst and second extension members attached to said right and left firstmembers respectively and extending across the said web and beyond saidleft and right first members respectively, said first extension memberhaving gripping members attached thereto adjacent one of said subsets ofsaid set and said second extension member having gripping membersattached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

13. The improvement of claim 11 wherein for each set of stations saidextension members comprise first and second pairs of finger bars, saidfirst and second pairs attached to said right and left first membersrespectively and extending across said web to and beyond said left andright first members respectively, said first pair of finger bars havinggripping members attached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of saidset and said second pair of finger bars having gripping members attachedthereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

14. The improvement of claim 13 wherein said first members comprise atransfer base, first and second gripping motion bars axially movablymounted on said transfer base and generally parallel to said firstdirection, for each set of stations first and second finger bar supportsconnected to said first and second gripping motion bars respectively,said first pair of finger bars being attached to said finger barsupports of said right first member, and said second pair of finger barsbeing attached to said finger bar supports of said left first member.

15. The improvement of claim 14 wherein said second means to actuatesaid gripping members actuates said first and second gripping motionbars to reciprocally move said bars, in opposite directions;

16. The improvement of claim 15 wherein said second means comprises amain shaft, a cam mounted thereon, cam follower means, a rack connectedto said cam follower, a pinion engaged with said rack, a shaft which isoscillated by the action of said rack and pinion, and means linking saidoscillating shaft with said first and second gripping motion bars.

17. The improvement of claim 16 wherein said gripping members comprisearcuate pieces conforming generally to the shape of the cupstransferred.

18. The improvement of claim 17 wherein said first means to reciprocallymove said first members comprises a drive shaft, a pair of cams mountedthereon and cam follower means attached to said first means and actuatedby the rotation of said cams.

19. The improvement of claim 11 wherein there are a multiplicity ofgripping members for each subset of stations, each of said grippingmembers effecting transfer of a cup along a part of the distance fromthe blankdraw station of each said subset to its corresponding redrawstation. g

20. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said extension members attachedto said right and left first members are extending slidably through saidleft and right first members respectively.

21. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said gripping members comprisearcuatepieces conforming generally to the shape of the cups transferred.

22. The method of transferring articles from a pair of first workstations to a pair of second work stations, said four work stationsdefining a set of work stations which are positioned on the samecenterline, comprising:

feeding a web of material from which said articles are formed to saidwork stations transversely of said centerline, said first work stationspositioned en- .tirely within the extent of said web and said secondwork stations positioned entirely out of the extent of said web;

forming an intermediate article at each of said first work stations;

moving spaced separate sets of gripping elements sequentially from aninitial non-gripping position relatively toward each other to an articleengaging second position to grip said articles; thereafter moving saidarticles, in opposite directions, from said first work stations alongthe centerline of said work stations away from said first work stationstoward said second work stations;

thereafter moving each set of gripper elements relatively away from eachother to a secondary nongripping position; and

finally returning said elements from said secondary non-grippingposition along said centerline to said initial non-gripping position.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said steps are cyclically repeatedwhile advancing said web of mate rial.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the movement of each of said gripperelements transcribes a parallelogram pattern each complete cycle, eachof said parallelogram patterns spanning a single lateral edge of saidweb.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein a plurality of sets of work stationsare provided, each set being aligned along a common centerlinetransverse to the longitudinal centerline of said web and wherein eachset of said first and second work stations are spaced from each other ina longitudinal direction parallel to said web and wherein said articlesare moved along the centerline of each respective work station set.

26. The method of forming steel cup-shaped container bodies open at oneend and having integral bottom and side walls comprising:

cyclically feeding a web of sheet metal to the bed of single strokecupping press having a plurality of pairs of blank-draw stations and anequal number of pairs of redraw stations, said redraw stations beinglocated beyond an edge of said web and adjacent said blank-drawstations, each pair of blankdraw stations operative with a pair ofredraw stations thus forming a cupping set, the blank-draw and redrawstations of each such cupping set being centered on a common centerline,said centerline being transversely disposed to the longitudinal feeddirection of said web; cutting a blank from said web at each blank-drawstation and drawing said blank into a cup, with each stroke of saidpress; gripping each said cup intermediate each said stroke of the pressand moving parallel to the centerline of its cupping set from an initialposition within the lateral extent of said web to a redraw stationadjacent thereto and removed from the lateral extent of said web;

redrawing each such cup with each stroke of said press; and

thereafter gripping said redrawn cups intermediate each said pressstroke and removing said redrawn cups from said press.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said redrawn cupsare subsequentlywall-ironed and wherein the feed from each such redraw station is fed toa separate wallironer.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein there are two cupping sets and fourblank-draw and redraw stations, each of said blank-draw stationslaterally offset with respect to each other in the longitudinaldirection of said web.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein there are two sets of work stationsand wherein each of said first work stations is laterally offset withrespect to the other first work stations to obtain maximum efficient webusage.

1. A system for drawing tubular bodies of the type having an integralbottom comprising a press having a base, a surface over which a sheetmetal web is fed in a first direction, at least one blank-drawn stationfor cutting blanks from said web and forming cups therefrom, and anequal number of redraw stations, said redraw stations being locatedbeyond an edge of said web and adjacent said blank-drawn stations,respectively, and means for transferring blanked and drawn cups awayfrom said web from each blank-draw station to a corresponding redrawstation comprising: a first member movably mounted on said base adjacentsaid surface and said redrawing stations in a direction therefromgenerally transverse of said first direction; at least one extensionmember attached to said first member and extending to said blank-drawstations and said redraw stations and having gripping members attachedthereto adjacent said stations above said metal web; first means toreciprocally move said first member, said extension members and saidgripping members, said gripping members movable between saidblanking-drawing stations and said redrawing stations; and second meansactuating said gripping members to grip said cups at saidblanking-drawing stations and release said cups at said redrawingstations.
 2. A system for drawing tubular bodies of the type having anintegral bottom comprising a press of a type having a base, a surfaceover which a sheet metal web is fed in a first direction with said webdefining right and left edge lines, at least one pair of blank-drawstations for cutting blanks of said web and forming cups therefrom, saidblank-draw stations in each pair consisting of right and left blank-drawstations each centered on a line generally transverse of said firstdirection, a pair of redraw stations corresponding to each pair ofblank-draw stations and consisting of right and left redraw stationsbeyond said right and left edge lines, respectively, each centered onthe common centerline of the corresponding pair of blank-draw stations,corresponding pairs of blank-draw stations and redraw stationscomprising a set of stations, the right blank-draw station and redrawstation of each set forming a right subset and the remaining twostations of each set forming a left subset, said means for transferringblanked and drawn cups away from said web from each blank-draw stationto a corresponding redraw station comprising: right and left firstmembers movably mounted on said base beyond said right and left edgelines, respectively, said right and left first members being adjacentsaid right and left redraw stations, respectively, in directionstherefrom generally transverse of said first direction; for each set ofstations, extension members attached to said right and left firstmembers and extending therefrom to said right and left subset ofstations, respectively, and having gripping members attached theretoadjacent said stations above said metal web; first means to reciprocallymove said first members, and thus said gripping members, generallytransversely of said first direction, each gripping member movablebetween said blank-draw station and said redraw station of its adjacentsubset of stations; and second means actuating said gripping members togrip said cups at said blank-draw stations and release said cups at saidredraw stations.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein for each set ofstations, said extension members comprise first and second extensionmembers, said first and second extension members attached to said rightand left first members respectively and extending across said web andbeyond said left and right first members respectively, said firstextension member having gripping members attached thereto adjacent oneof said subsets of said set and said second extension member havinggripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets. 4.The apparatus of claim 3 wherein there are a multiplicity of grippingmembers for each subset of stations, each of said gripping memberseffecting transfer of a cup along a part of the distance from theblank-draw station of each of said subsets to its corresponding redrawstation.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said gripping memberscomprise arcuate pieces conforming generally to the shape of the cupstransferred.
 6. The improvement of claim 2 wherein for each set ofstations, said extension members comprise first and second pairs offinger bars, said first and second pairs of finger bars attacHed to saidright and left first members respectively and extending across said webto and beyond said left and right first members respectively, said firstpair of finger bars having gripping members attached thereto adjacentone of said subsets of said set and said second pair of finger barshaving gripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of saidsubsets.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first members comprisea transfer base, first and second gripping motion bars axially movablymounted on said transfer base and generally parallel to said firstdirection, for each set of stations first and second finger bar supportsconnected to said first and second gripping motion bars respectively,said first pair of finger bars being attached to said finger barsupports of said right first member, and said second pair of finger barsbeing attached to said finger bar supports of said left first member. 8.The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second means to actuate saidgripping members actuates said first and second gripping motion bars toreciprocally move said bars, in opposite directions.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein said second means comprises a main shaft, a cam mountedthereon, cam follower means, a rack connected to said cam follower, apinion engaged with said rack, a shaft which is oscillated by the actionof said rack and pinion, and means linking said oscillating shaft withsaid first and second gripping motion bars.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9wherein said first means to reciprocally move said first memberscomprises a drive shaft, a pair of cams mounted thereon and cam followermeans attached to said first means and actuated by the rotation of saidcams.
 11. In a single stroke press device of a type having a base, asurface over which a sheet steel web is fed in a first direction withsaid web defining right and left edge lines, at least one pair ofblank-draw stations for cutting blanks of said web and forming cupstherefrom, said blank-draw stations in each pair consisting of right andleft blank-draw stations each centered on a line generally transverse ofsaid first direction, for each said pair a pair of redraw stationsconsisting of right and left redraw stations beyond said right and leftedge lines respectively, each centered on the common centerline of thecorresponding pair of blank-draw stations, corresponding pair ofblank-draw stations and redraw stations comprising a set of stations,the right blank-draw station and redraw station of each set forming aright subset and the remaining two stations of each set forming a leftsubset, the improvement of a device for transferring cups from saidblank-draw stations to the corresponding redraw stations comprising:right and left first members movably mounted on said base beyond saidright and left edge lines respectively, said right and left firstmembers being adjacent said right and left redraw stations respectivelyin directions therefrom generally transverse of said first direction;for each set of stations, extension members attached to said right andleft first members and extending therefrom to said right and left subsetof stations respectively and having gripping members attached theretoadjacent said stations above said metal web; first means to reciprocallymove said first members, and thus said gripping members, generallytransversely of said first direction, each gripping member movingbetween said blank-draw station and said redraw station of its adjacentsubset of stations; and second means actuating said gripping members togrip said cups at said blank-draw stations and release said cups at saidredraw stations.
 12. The improvement of claim 11 wherein for each set ofstations said extension members comprise first and second extensionmembers, said first and second extension members attached to said rightand left first members respectively and extending across the said weband beyond said left and right first members respectively, saiD firstextension member having gripping members attached thereto adjacent oneof said subsets of said set and said second extension member havinggripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.13. The improvement of claim 11 wherein for each set of stations saidextension members comprise first and second pairs of finger bars, saidfirst and second pairs attached to said right and left first membersrespectively and extending across said web to and beyond said left andright first members respectively, said first pair of finger bars havinggripping members attached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of saidset and said second pair of finger bars having gripping members attachedthereto adjacent the other of said subsets.
 14. The improvement of claim13 wherein said first members comprise a transfer base, first and secondgripping motion bars axially movably mounted on said transfer base andgenerally parallel to said first direction, for each set of stationsfirst and second finger bar supports connected to said first and secondgripping motion bars respectively, said first pair of finger bars beingattached to said finger bar supports of said right first member, andsaid second pair of finger bars being attached to said finger barsupports of said left first member.
 15. The improvement of claim 14wherein said second means to actuate said gripping members actuates saidfirst and second gripping motion bars to reciprocally move said bars, inopposite directions.
 16. The improvement of claim 15 wherein said secondmeans comprises a main shaft, a cam mounted thereon, cam follower means,a rack connected to said cam follower, a pinion engaged with said rack,a shaft which is oscillated by the action of said rack and pinion, andmeans linking said oscillating shaft with said first and second grippingmotion bars.
 17. The improvement of claim 16 wherein said grippingmembers comprise arcuate pieces conforming generally to the shape of thecups transferred.
 18. The improvement of claim 17 wherein said firstmeans to reciprocally move said first members comprises a drive shaft, apair of cams mounted thereon and cam follower means attached to saidfirst means and actuated by the rotation of said cams.
 19. Theimprovement of claim 11 wherein there are a multiplicity of grippingmembers for each subset of stations, each of said gripping memberseffecting transfer of a cup along a part of the distance from theblank-draw station of each said subset to its corresponding redrawstation.
 20. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said extension membersattached to said right and left first members are extending slidablythrough said left and right first members respectively.
 21. Theimprovement of claim 11 wherein said gripping members comprise arcuatepieces conforming generally to the shape of the cups transferred. 22.The method of transferring articles from a pair of first work stationsto a pair of second work stations, said four work stations defining aset of work stations which are positioned on the same centerline,comprising: feeding a web of material from which said articles areformed to said work stations transversely of said centerline, said firstwork stations positioned entirely within the extent of said web and saidsecond work stations positioned entirely out of the extent of said web;forming an intermediate article at each of said first work stations;moving spaced separate sets of gripping elements sequentially from aninitial non-gripping position relatively toward each other to an articleengaging second position to grip said articles; thereafter moving saidarticles, in opposite directions, from said first work stations alongthe centerline of said work stations away from said first work stationstoward said second work stations; thereafter moving each set of gripperelements relatively away from each other to a secondary non-grippingposition; and finally returning said eleMents from said secondarynon-gripping position along said centerline to said initial non-grippingposition.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said steps are cyclicallyrepeated while advancing said web of material.
 24. The method of claim23 wherein the movement of each of said gripper elements transcribes aparallelogram pattern each complete cycle, each of said parallelogrampatterns spanning a single lateral edge of said web.
 25. The method ofclaim 24 wherein a plurality of sets of work stations are provided, eachset being aligned along a common centerline transverse to thelongitudinal centerline of said web and wherein each set of said firstand second work stations are spaced from each other in a longitudinaldirection parallel to said web and wherein said articles are moved alongthe centerline of each respective work station set.
 26. The method offorming steel cup-shaped container bodies open at one end and havingintegral bottom and side walls comprising: cyclically feeding a web ofsheet metal to the bed of single stroke cupping press having a pluralityof pairs of blank-draw stations and an equal number of pairs of redrawstations, said redraw stations being located beyond an edge of said weband adjacent said blank-draw stations, each pair of blank-draw stationsoperative with a pair of redraw stations thus forming a cupping set, theblank-draw and redraw stations of each such cupping set being centeredon a common centerline, said centerline being transversely disposed tothe longitudinal feed direction of said web; cutting a blank from saidweb at each blank-draw station and drawing said blank into a cup, witheach stroke of said press; gripping each said cup intermediate each saidstroke of the press and moving parallel to the centerline of its cuppingset from an initial position within the lateral extent of said web to aredraw station adjacent thereto and removed from the lateral extent ofsaid web; redrawing each such cup with each stroke of said press; andthereafter gripping said redrawn cups intermediate each said pressstroke and removing said redrawn cups from said press.
 27. The method ofclaim 26 wherein said redrawn cups are subsequently wall-ironed andwherein the feed from each such redraw station is fed to a separatewall-ironer.
 28. The method of claim 26 wherein there are two cuppingsets and four blank-draw and redraw stations, each of said blank-drawstations laterally offset with respect to each other in the longitudinaldirection of said web.
 29. The method of claim 25 wherein there are twosets of work stations and wherein each of said first work stations islaterally offset with respect to the other first work stations to obtainmaximum efficient web usage.